(a)  A landlord, from time to time, may adopt a rule or regulation, however described, concerning the tenant’s use and occupancy of the premises. It is enforceable against the tenant only if:

(1)  Its purpose is to promote the convenience, safety, or welfare of the tenants on the premises, preserve the landlord’s property from abusive use, or make a fair distribution of services and facilities held out for the tenants generally;

(2)  It is reasonably related to the purpose of which it is adopted;

(3)  It is sufficiently explicit in its prohibition, direction, or limitation of the tenant’s conduct to fairly inform the tenant of what he or she must or must not do to comply;

(4)  It applies to all tenants in the premises in a fair manner;

(5)  It is not for the purpose of evading the obligations of the landlord; and

(6)  The tenant has notice of it at the time he or she enters into the rental agreement, or when it is adopted.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 34-18-25

  • in writing: include printing, engraving, lithographing, and photo-lithographing, and all other representations of words in letters of the usual form. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-16

(b)  If a rule or regulation is adopted after the tenant enters into the rental agreement that works a substantial modification of his or her bargain, it is not valid unless the tenant consents to it in writing.

History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 200, § 2.